Dickie is dead

He was one of our first crop of lambs in 2009. He had a white streak of wool on his face that reminded me of Dickie Davies :-) I couldn't bear to eat him, so we had him castrated and kept him as a tup companion (also mentor to various groups of tup and ewe lambs). We took him to the vet in the back of the car to be "done", and Dan held him, legs akimbo (Dickie's not Dan's) while the vet did his stuff.

He had been a bit off colour for a couple of weeks. I'd fluked him and given him a course of antibiotics - some days he'd seem better, then he'd be poorly again the next day. He wasn't eating much but loved a digestive biscuit, an oatcake or sticky willie, ground elder and dandelion (so long as it was freshly pulled :-)).

Yesterday, he seemed good - it was a lovely day and he went out with the ponies to graze and had some biscuits. This morning, he was clearly failing and I called the vet; but by the time Robert arrived, Dickie had died. It all looked quite peaceful. I'm glad - I had decided that if Robert didn't say "I know what ails that sheep and I can cure him", I was going to have him put to sleep. But he beat me to it, poor lad.

He had a great life - anyone who has been here will have met Dickie. He loved a cuddle and a scratch and I'm glad he had five good years and a sunny day yesterday. Such is life, I suppose, but syill feeling sad :-(

On the plus side, it's a bit of a reprieve for one of this year's tup lambs.

Comments

Bionic

Eastling

So sorry, they do become part of the family ,when you have them for a period of time. But at least he had a good last day. In a lovely home x

Womble

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 6:09pm

What a shame Rosemary.

Have you had the conversation with your favourite tup lamb yet? "Well pal, I've got good news, and I've got bad news......."

doganjo

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 6:47pm

Aw, poor Dickie, I remember him as a lamb.

Sudanpan

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 7:17pm

Bummer :o( But I am sure he loved his 5 years with you :o)

kelly pike

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 8:02pm

so sorry to hear the news. He was a handsome wether.

Gary bamford

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 10:41pm

Very sad ..He had a good life whith you /have a nice day !VF

Erin McGann

Wednesday 28 May, 2014 at 10:51pm

Aww no . Im soo sorry Rosemary, i know how much you love him and i bet he did too. Great wee guy with the most loving nature!! R.I.P Dickie!!

SallyintNorth

Thursday 29 May, 2014 at 12:43am

Sorry to hear this Rosemary.

You'll miss him, and grieve for a while. But at least you know he had a super life, and a good last day. And you did everything you could to make him comfortable and help him try to get better. {{{hugs}}}

HappyHippy

Thursday 29 May, 2014 at 1:23am

:-( Hugs to you all, RIP Dickie

marka

Thursday 29 May, 2014 at 8:45am

Rosemary - so sorry for your loss although I know these words will be poor comfort.

mintytwoshoes

Friday 30 May, 2014 at 12:22pm

So sorry to hear about Dickie - just appreciate that you really cared about him - he could have had a much worse life elsewhere. You did your best.

bumpkins

Friday 30 May, 2014 at 9:26pm

I'm SO sorry - Poor Dickie....Poor You!

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Who is the Accidental Smallholder?

Hello, I'm Rosemary Champion, aka the Accidental Smallholder. I'm a smallholder in the east of Scotland and started this website to help other people who are interested in smallholding to find their way, and to share my experiences.